Just One Year(58)

When he finally pulled out, I tightened my grip on him. “Please don’t leave me tonight.”

“I won’t, baby. I promise. I’ll be here all night.”

Pulling on his hair, I began to kiss him again, and over the next several minutes, I could feel his erection growing for a second round. The muscles between my legs contracted, immediately wanting him again.

And so we made love all night. It was almost morning by the time we fell asleep.

***

When the light came through my window the next day, it felt intrusive. Today was the day I would lose Caleb, and the sun was a most unwelcome sight.

Caleb stirred and turned to me. He kissed me passionately before he asked, “Are you okay?”

“No,” I said.

“Neither am I. And that was the dumbest fucking question ever, wasn’t it?” He sighed. “Can we just stay in this spot forever?”

My chest constricted. “I wish.”

We lay together until the clock dictated that we force ourselves up.

To my surprise, when we ventured upstairs to the kitchen, it was empty.

I suspected Maura knew we might need some privacy and had arranged for everyone to leave the house for a while. My suspicions were confirmed when she sent me a text .



Maura: Just FYI, we went to the city to the farmer’s market. We won’t be back until at least ten. Love you.



“Someone texted?” Caleb asked.

“Maura. She said they won’t be coming back until ten.”

He looked surprised. “Really...”

“Yeah.”

A few minutes later, as I buttered a piece of toast at the counter, I felt Caleb come up behind me. He kissed my neck softly, and the hairs on my skin rose to attention.

His erection pressed against my ass, and I felt the need for him again between my legs.

The next thing I knew, he’d lifted my shirt and moved my underwear to the side. He entered me in one rough movement. I gasped at the feel of him inside of me, and with both hands gripping the counter, I closed my eyes in ecstasy as Caleb took me from behind. We’d make the best of these last minutes together. Instead of wallowing, we’d go out with a bang.

***

Of course, all good things must come to an end, and ours had arrived.

Things were quiet and somber the rest of the morning as my family reappeared and Caleb gathered the last of his things and packed them into my father’s Subaru. The entire family would drive Caleb to Logan Airport. As much as I didn’t want to say goodbye in front of them, I also figured it might be less painful if I didn’t totally lose my shit. So, it would be better that they would be there. I’d have to keep myself under control.

The ride felt surreal. Caleb and I had probably never said less to each other, but there simply were no words to describe how we felt.

When we got to the airport, Maura said, “Why don’t we all say goodbye to Caleb at the curb? And then, Teagan, you can walk him inside.”

So much for using my family as a buffer.

I got out of the car and watched as Maura hugged Caleb tightly. Tears streamed down her cheeks. My dad patted Caleb hard on the back. Caleb looked almost numb, as if he were just going through the motions of saying goodbye to them. Last was Shelley, who started bawling when he took her into his arms and lifted her up. I felt my first tear fall. Caleb’s eyes shut tight, but he didn’t cry.

I followed him to the outdoor station where he checked his luggage, and then we entered the sliding glass doors to the airport. Hand in hand, we walked until we reached the point where I could no longer accompany him.

We stood facing each other as he brushed the hair out of my face.

He swallowed. “This is one of the hardest moments of my life.”

I closed my eyes and started to cry.

He wiped my tears with his thumbs. “Teagan, look at me for a moment. I need you to know something.”

My tears blurred my vision as I looked up at him.

“Don’t ever believe you’re not worthy. You are, bar none, the most amazing human being I have ever known. I need you to understand that my leaving has nothing to do with you not being enough to keep me here. Just the opposite. I’m not enough for you right now. I have so many broken pieces. Please never doubt whether you were enough to make me stay. Alright?”

I nodded through my tears. “I know your life back home is complicated. I understand why you have to leave. I just hope you know you can count on me if you ever need me. I will miss you every single day, and I will never forget all of the things you did for me—teaching me the importance of appreciating my family, making me feel beautiful, helping me come out of my shell. I’ve grown so much just from being around you, Caleb. You might think you’re broken, but you helped put me back together.”

And there it was. The first tear fell from his eyes, proof of how hard leaving was for him and perhaps my biggest proof—although too late—of how much he cared for me.

Wiping his cheek, he spoke with a strained voice. “Take care of yourself, Teagan.” He placed one more long, hard, torturous kiss on my lips before he ripped himself away and headed toward the escalator.

I stood in the same spot watching him until he reached the top. He turned back one more time and saluted me with a kiss. Then he was gone.





CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR